Chapter 24: Don't Run When You See Me

The priests and mages were undoubtedly the first to sense the aura emanating from the enormous corpse puppet. They were also the first to notice it, but they did not act immediately because they saw that both Commander Roland and the Emperor were atop it.

At this moment, everyone's first reaction was that the Emperor and Commander Roland had been captured or controlled. Regardless of whether they were being controlled or had been captured, even though each priest and mage here was an exceptional expert, they all understood that they had no ability to rescue the two from a necromancer's grasp.

However, when they saw Commander Roland, his face filled with murderous intent and rage, staring at Cardinal Jarvis as he jumped down from the corpse monster, everyone quickly realized that he was neither controlled nor captured. This left everyone in confusion, as it felt like their thoughts had suddenly turned to mush, like thick goo that had been sitting for too long, about to solidify into a hard mass.

At that moment, the Emperor, alongside the necromancer, descended from the massive corpse puppet. The Emperor, standing next to the necromancer and the undead creature, pointed at the cardinal in the palace and loudly shouted, "Everyone be careful, this cardinal is actually a necromancer!"

The others, who had already been struggling with mental confusion, now felt their brains shatter rather than merely congeal. It wasn't that they didn't know how to think; it was that they could no longer think at all.

However, this was not the reaction of everyone. At least not for the cardinal. Upon hearing the necromancer's voice, his body immediately froze, but the next moment, upon seeing Commander Roland jump down from the corpse puppet and approach him, his body moved once again—and faster than when he had attacked in anger just moments earlier.

But this time, he did not draw his sword; instead, he stepped back, retreating from the four squad leaders of the paladin team and quickly pulling a scroll from his chest.

The four squad leaders' minds were still clouded, and the cardinal's movements were too fast for them to react. By the time they realized what was happening, the cardinal already held a black scroll, with dark magical fluctuations quickly manifesting around it, ready to be unleashed.

When Roland saw Cardinal Jarvis retreat and draw the scroll, his expression immediately changed. His movements shifted from walking step by step to a swift blur.

The necromancer with the golden mask also saw the scroll. While no one could see his expression, his reaction was quick: he stepped back, pulling the Emperor behind him, and the massive corpse monster moved to block their path.

A sealed magic scroll is far more effective in actual combat than the magic itself. These items, which can be used instantly without the need for gestures or incantations, are invaluable. Although crafting top-tier scrolls usually comes with an enormous cost, possessing one of these items grants the holder a powerful trump card capable of reversing the tide of battle at any moment.

Now, the scroll in Cardinal Jarvis's hands was undoubtedly such a trump card. Yet the people around him had no idea how dire the situation was. Commander Roland had already reacted, but he was too far away, and there were too many people between them. At this point, even if someone shouted a warning, it would have been enough time for Jarvis to activate three scrolls.

Jarvis could already feel the intense, dark aura surging within the scroll, ready to unleash an immense and destructive power. Once the scroll was unrolled, the people in front of him would be crushed like ants under its might. While the strongest among them might survive, the two he feared most might not escape unscathed. This was his chance.

But just as he was about to unroll the scroll, he suddenly sensed a powerful presence and wind currents coming from behind. It was an unstoppable, thunderous force.

He might still have time to activate the scroll and unleash its full magical power, but the presence and wind were powerful enough to turn his head into a smashed tomato.

With a crouch, a leap to the side, and a quick roll through the air, he blocked the follow-up strike. Jarvis landed and avoided the attack, but he didn't have time to unroll the scroll because his assailant was already upon him. The black sword in the attacker's hand, once steady and heavy as ancient granite, now felt like a collapsing mountain pressing down on him. If he didn't counter with all his strength, he would be crushed.

The long sword in his hand transformed into a fierce white lightning bolt, sharp and wild, to counter the black sword. The two swords clashed once more, and the two figures separated.

At this moment, the other swordsmen arrived, carrying the Prime Minister and the Queen. They had been thrown into the fray.

Asa grunted, retreating a few steps and spitting out a mouthful of blood. Only he could have acted so quickly to stop the cardinal from using the scroll. However, he had already suffered significant hidden injuries during his first strike, and the follow-up clash only worsened his condition.

But that was enough. Even though Asa was forced back, Jarvis still couldn't unroll the scroll. The delay was enough for Commander Roland to reach them.

"Good disciple, so it's you," came the low growl, followed by a flash of white sword light and a figure.

The sword light was pure, without any overwhelming force like a mountain or waterfall. It was simply a sword, a singular, pure strike. The one who wielded it was as sharp as the sword itself, and his gaze was as piercing, like the sword, striking to the very core. Even the low growl was like a sword stabbing into the heart.

Fear appeared in Cardinal Jarvis's eyes. Whether it was from the sword or the person holding it, or perhaps the gaze or the growl, he had no will to resist. He turned and fled.

Such a sword could never be dodged by simply running. Before Jarvis had even taken a step, the sword pierced his back.

This strike, in theory, could not be blocked. The gathered aura, murderous intent, sword energy, and the perfect blend of power, speed, and technique would shred even the toughest dragon's body as if it were soft pork. No matter how strong the armor, even if it could withstand the blade's edge, the sword's energy would tear apart anything within, destroying all life.

Yet, against all expectations, this sword had no effect on Jarvis. Just as the sword tip was about to make contact, a layer of mixed white and black magical light suddenly flashed around him. There was a strange, dull sound as this mysterious magic blocked Roland's strike.

At the same time, another subtle cracking sound was heard. The cross on Jarvis's chest shattered into pieces.

"Protection of the Holy Light Angel? Good grief!" Outside the palace, the necromancer with the golden mask made an odd sound. "There are only two of these in the Dehya Valley. Even I never used them back then."

Although the sword had been blocked, the impact was still felt. Commander Roland staggered, and Jarvis was pushed forward, crashing into the wall ahead.

For Jarvis, who had a sword in hand and was intent on escaping, the wall was no obstacle. He swung his sword, and the wall crumbled, allowing him to shoot out. He quickly swung again, causing a larger section of the wall to collapse, momentarily blocking Commander Roland's advance.

Bursting out of the palace, Jarvis quickly cast a few support white magic spells on himself and ran toward the courtyard.

Running—that was his only thought now. He knew he had no chance of winning, but he still had confidence in his escape. By sacrificing the magical gem his father left him, he had gained this chance to break out of the palace. If he could find a secluded spot and delay using the teleportation scroll by a few seconds, it would be enough.

His speed was lightning fast, and the slight delay he caused in Roland's pursuit gave him a real chance. Unfortunately, he forgot about someone else.

As Cardinal Jarvis smashed through the wall and fled, the necromancer outside the palace snorted. However, instead of pursuing, he turned and jumped onto the massive corpse monster, which leaped into the air, spreading its wings.

In the high sky, the necromancer with the golden mask watched the fleeing cardinal, then casually reached out his hand. It was a light, almost indifferent gesture.

Jarvis suddenly felt a muscle in his thigh twitch inexplicably. His previously swift and agile movements faltered, and he stumbled like a child learning to walk. His left foot caught his right, and he rolled forward, crashing into a stone guardrail with a muffled thud.

"Think you can run after seeing me?" The necromancer shook his head, clucking his tongue.